Ongoing research

The Coastal Gardener : Article

Winterize Your Garden

April 3, 2024
Winter is here. Put your garden to bed for winter and prepare your garden for the dropping temperatures and wet season. Here are tips from the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners. General Tasks Compost: Turn compost and keep it as moist as a wrung-out sponge.
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Visit the UC IPM Seasonal Landscape IPM Checklist for a list of pest prevention activities for each month.
Pests in the Urban Landscape: Article

April Pest Prevention Tips

April 3, 2024
By Lauren Fordyce
Spring is here and if you are like us, you can't wait to get outside and see how your plants and garden are doing! As usual, UC IPM has useful tips for the month of April to prevent pests in the garden and landscape.
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Compost bin
The Coastal Gardener : Article

It's Alive! The Wonder of 'Hot' Composting

April 3, 2024
Starting a compost pile in winter may not be at the top of your to-do list, but it may be just the thing you need to beat the winter doldrums. Your reward will be soil that is more fertile, supporting bigger and heather plants in next summer's garden.
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Two images of worms
The Coastal Gardener : Article

What's Bugging Me?

April 3, 2024
I Can Name That Worm in Four Clues How About You? Match the clue to the Worm's Image. Place an X in the appropriate column. Worm 'A'Earthworm, nightcrawler, Lumbricus terrestris, is one of over 2,700 varieties of earthworms.
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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

The Great Tomato Plant Sale Starts with a Single Seed!

April 3, 2024
by Liz Rottger Well, actually, with more than 35,000 seeds! Thats how many plants the UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa are propagating for their Great Tomato Plant Sale that will be held in 3 county areas (Walnut Creek, Antioch, and Richmond) this year.
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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

How to Choose the Best Tomato for your Garden

April 3, 2024
produced by our UCMGCC Communications Team You are in for a real treat! Our Communications Team has produced a few short videos on choosing and successfully growing tomatoes in Contra Costa County. Watch the video on Heirloom vs. Hybrid Tomatoes Watch the video on Determinate vs.
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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

How to Choose the Best Tomato for your Garden

April 3, 2024
produced by our UCMGCC Communications Team You are in for a real treat! Our Communications Team has produced a few short videos on choosing and successfully growing tomatoes in Contra Costa County. Watch the video on Heirloom vs. Hybrid Tomatoes Watch the video on Determinate vs.
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Yellow Squash producing in container on deck. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Growing Cucumbers and Squash in Containers for Small Spaces Gardening

April 3, 2024
by David George One of the most popular veggie families besides tomatoes at our annual Great Tomato Plant Sale are the Cucurbits, which include cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins. Growing cucurbits, whether in-ground or in a container, is a breeze and very rewarding.
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Leaf Cutter Bee On Sunflower. Photo courtesy of TJ Gehling.
UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Our Veggies need our Pollinators

April 3, 2024
by Laurinda Ochoa Its about that time of year! We purchased healthy tomato plants and other vegetables at the UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County Great Tomato Plant Sale.
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UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County: Article

Using Nature to Control Pests

April 3, 2024
by Robin Mitchell All creatures have a role to perform in the delicate dance of nature. Spring is such a wonderful time of the year, and it is a good time to look for beneficial insects as the plants and flowers begin to emerge and bloom.
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